January 1, 2001, marks the beginning of a new millennium. March 26, 1996, marks an event that occurs with about the same frequency: the election of a new Senator for the 1st Suffolk District.
For 26 years William Bulger—Senate President, Latin scholar, historian, golden-throated singer, noted author, and now, president of the University of Massachusetts—represented the citizens of the 1st Suffolk. With his retirement the position has opened up. Three candidates, all from South Boston, are vying for the seat in the Democratic primary (and the winner of that primary will be the Senator; no one credibly believes a Republican can take the district).
Most people are not aware of it, but William Bulger represented far more than South Boston and parts of Dorchester. The 1st Suffolk district includes parts of Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Lower Roxbury, and the South End. These other neighborhoods represent more than half the population of the district. Yet for years South Boston has controlled the seat.
As the chart below shows, the reason this is clear: the neighborhoods outside of South Boston and Dorchester may be populous but they don’t vote. And it is voters, not residents, who elect politicians—a crucial distinction.
Nevertheless, this time the non-South Boston neighborhoods may be the deciding factor. With three hometown candidates running, South Boston is divided. The margin of victory can come from elsewhere.
Who should be Senator? The three candidates are William Bulger, Jr., Stephen Lynch, and Patrick Loftus. Bulger has garnered a lot of attention because he is the son of the former Senate president.
But one’s parentage should not be a factor in deciding among the three candidates Each needs to prove himself worthy to represent the district.
Bulger fails this test. He has missed debates, failed to take positions on issues, and has not campaigned hard in neighborhoods outside of South Boston and Dorchester. For the most recent debate at the Renaissance School, Bulger did not return 12 phone calls and several letters inviting him to participate. He showed up 1 1/2 hours late, just after the debate had ended. As one Bay Village resident described it, it was “a slap in the face of the neighborhood.”
If Bulger could not be bothered to show up during a campaign, who could ever believe he would do so once elected?
That leaves us Loftus and Lynch. Loftus is a personable and smart lawyer practicing in South Boston. He is someone we may hear more from in the future, but at this juncture Stephen Lynch makes the more persuasive case for himself.
Lynch, presently a state representative, alone has made a concerted effort to reach out to all of the neighborhoods of the district. He showed up at a fund-raiser sponsored by the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay at the Back Bay Brewing Company. He has attended two Ward 5 Democratic Committee meetings. He even attended a post-election party at my home.
Lynch and I do not agree on all issues. But his commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people is profound. He is a fighter for the residents he represents, something I observed first hand as he led the fight opposing placing the Megaplex in South Boston. And he has demonstrated far more than any of the other candidates that he will reach out to and support all of the neighborhoods of this far-flung and diverse district.
I intend to vote for Stephen Lynch. I would urge you to do the same.